We here at The Delicate Pen hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! To kick off the season of giving, we are giving away the items that are our most popular gift items. All you have to do is write a comment on any blog post that we posted in the month of November 2011 and you will be entered. Also, The Delicate Pen just joined Facebook! We know we are a little late to join this party, but you know how New Yorkers are, fashionably late! Please LIKE us on Facebook and you will also get an additional entry for one of the prizes. If you already liked our page prior to this contest announcement, we will of course still enter you in the contest, as a thank you for being a charter member!

There will be THREE prizes.

First is a set of 12 thank you notes hand-painted in the color of your choice with tissue linings and beautifully gift wrapped. They make the most luxurious and personal gift.

Second prize is a beautiful crystal box, with a hand calligraphed word or name of your choice. Give this to your bestest of best friend, a sister, mother, mother-in-law, teacher or office workers.

Thirdly, for one lucky winner we will hand calligraph a favorite personal short quote or saying. We can letter on one of our prints with a painted botanical, or with just the quote on your custom piece. Below is a sample of one of our prints, but we will tailor your prize to your needs.

So, comment here and LIKE us on Facebook and you could be the winner!

We will draw the winner on Cyber Monday at 9 p.m. EST. Winners will be announced here and on Facebook!

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and what could be more personal than a journal with a hand calligraphed touch? This item is one of our best sellers for mothers and grandmothers of all ages. Many daughters give them as gifts to their mothers, with strict instructions for them to start writing down stories from their childhood. Likewise, many mothers and grandmothers give them to their daughters with young children, to inspire them to leave their own Legacy Book for their children. I sought out to offer a journal that would inspire others to write down stories for future generations. With such a pretty book, who could resist writing.

I discovered this article and quiz from the New York Times. It reveals how the human element adds an ingredient almost inexplicably engaging. Since I am a musician as well as an artist, and I believe “All Art is One Art,” I found the findings predictable, yet thrilling, since it promotes my philosophy that nothing can replace the human element. Our motto on our contact page states, “We prefer the personal touch.” In music, hand calligraphy, and gift giving, why not add the personal touch. May we suggest a Mother’s Day gift this year? We will hand calligraph a name and hand paint a flower color of your choice.

I happened upon these rose sculptures along Park Avenue, while taking a stroll around town. Talk about a pick-me-up! The display is sponsored by the Sculpture Committee of the Fund for Park Avenue and the New York City Parks and Recreation Public Art Program. The 38 giant pink and red roses are by artist Will Ryman. Half of the roses have been sold already! Some of the petals were designed and sold as chairs. (Really.)

Park Avenue is a street with no buses. On the islands separating up and downtown traffic, there is always a spectacular rotating display. From January to May this year, these larger than life rose sculptures loom over each intersection from 57th to 67th Street. They are such a perk to the street and city. Better yet, they are a precursor to the annual tulip display soon to follow!

The wonderful thing about being an artist, is that you get to give your art as gifts. When I attended Kelley Moore’s dinner party, I knew that Kelley, being an Entertaining Expert, had specific ideas about her table display, and I didn’t want to interfere with those ideas. So, I decided to bring a set of Reflection Cards, (a spur of the moment invention of mine), as a hostess gift. I lettered beautiful Italian cards with words like Believe, Love, Dream, and Angels. I tied them with a silk ribbon to present as her gift. During the evening, or upon leaving the party, each guest could choose a Reflection Card, and ponder the word that evening, or on their travels home. Nothing like a little piece of art, and a good thought to tuck in a pocket, and unexpectedly rediscover again some day with a smile. Luckily I chose a color scheme that was serendipitous! See her centerpieces in yesterday’s post. Kelley’s Give Away is only one day away, and the Nate Berkus Show segment, featuring dinner plates I painted, airs in two days!